Geographically speaking, Lan Ha Bay shares great similarity with Halong Bay, which means it is virtually gorgeous just like the famous Halong Bay. Lan Ha bay hosts more than 400 islets scattered over the area and it still reserves the pristine scenery without much inference from tourism.

There is just so much on offer amongst the cruise companies serving Lan Ha Bay that you could be forgiven for feeling like you just don’t know how to make a decision. There are a thousand of overnight tours offered from different tour agencies which take on a cruise of Lan Ha Bay. 

For overnight stays, Lan Ha Bay offers many options of hotels, hostels, and bungalows on Cat Ba Island but you should choose to spend your night on a cruise, surrounded by rock and water.

Why Lan Ha Bay attracts travelers?

The beautiful Lan Ha Bay is found a bit further south of the famous Halong Bay. Here you will find the gorgeous Cat Ba Island amongst other stunning treasures and islets amongst the Cat Ba National Park. There are plenty of options for cruises in the area, and you can even a couple. Lan Ha Bay is a good destination for those wanting to take a trip on the emerald water. Halong Bay is well known and often quite crowded, and you can enjoy Lan Ha Bay at a more relaxed pace.

All meals, accommodation and excursion activities are highly recommended on the trip. A cruise is the best way to explore this beautiful bay, and under the guidance of your experienced tour leaders and captain you will be able to get to parts of the bay that are unreachable by foot.

How to choose the tour

There are multiple durations available so you can pick what best fits into your tour of Vietnam. For those with limited time, pick the half-day cruises that depart from the beautiful Cat Ba Island. These short cruises will give you a little glimpse into the stunning area around Lan Ha Bay. You will be delighted when you see the little islets dotted around the bay.

If you can spare the time to spend a night or two we recommend it for the experience of sleeping on a boat alone and awaking to the sounds and views of the Bay. You will have more time to get your bearings and enjoy the spectacular scenery. These slightly longer cruises will get you right into the bay, exploring more hidden areas and are a great option for those wanting to relax away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi.

Itinerary Selection for Lan Ha Bay

The area in which Lan Ha Bay is found is overshadowed by the more well-known Halong Bay, however, each of the three bays in this area is equally stunning – Halong, Bai Tu Long and Lan Ha. Surrounded by limestone mountains, little coves and pristine sands they are all worth a visit. As Halong Bay is often overcrowded, Lan Ha Bay is a real contender for those wanting to see similar scenery at a more relaxed pace.  There is the bonus of a visit to Cat Bay Island with its gorgeous beaches and rolling hills to boot, so Lan Ha Bay offers everything the discerning tourist can wish for.

Most visitors will pick a cruise that stops at the Ti Top Island, Surprising Cave and the enchanting floating village at Van Gia. Overnight cruises are popular, but are much less crowded in Lan Ha than competing Halong Bay, and offer visitors the chance to take in the sights with fewer tour boats in the vicinity. 

When to go to take a Lan Ha bay trip

With tours available year-round, you should pick your time of year depending on what you intend to see and do, but the best time to visit is spring as the weather is nice. However, the nice weather comes crowds of tourists, so in the rainy season, you will have a less crowded space in which to tour. Autumn is also a good time to visit however again the weather is unpredictable, and in winter the weather is colder so you may not be able to take advantage of the beautiful swimming options.

How to see as much as possible:

A quirk of local council rules means that unfortunately, tourists are unable to do a “double tour” of both Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu, or both Lan Ha and Halong. However, if you are set on taking in both bays, you could just take a tour of each separately. Spend some time getting to know this island before you then take the half day cruise to Lan Ha.

Managing your budget

Be prepared to spend a little money on these tours, but with a little bit of careful research you will be able to not break the bank. If you are tempted to take the cheapest option available to you, make sure you read all the reviews you can find about the accommodation, especially if you are taking an overnight cruise. No one wants to be stranded on the water in substandard accommodation. Once you have reviewed the potential vessel, coupled with your findings on the best all-inclusive deal, you should be able to decide about good quality versus price.

Check the boat you will be on

As there is a big variation on what is provided across different tours, it is important to do a bit of research into the vessel that will be provided on your tour. Check also the boat’s capacity – if it is a huge boat that serves 50 people you may be competing for space at dinner and views. If you have the cash, you could commandeer your tour, but for the majority of people a shared tour will be the only option.

Choose your tour operator wisely           

Make sure your tour operator is recognized on trip advisor as a reputable firm. Unfortunately, some agencies target tourists with scams. Your hotel may also be able to recommend the best ones to use, and ensure they have an operating website, active phone line and good reviews from fellow travelers.

Summary

There are some notes for tourists to get a great option for a cruise of Lan Ha Bay. You can let your tour leader organize everything, and you will be sure that you don’t have to think about sorting dinner or entertaining yourself if you book an all-inclusive option. Hopefully, this handy guide will give you good enough advice to help you pick the tour of a lifetime.